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Change France? Sanofi Finds It Can't

By

Mimosa Spencer and

Jeanne Whalen

Updated April 10, 2013 7:25 p.m. ET

TOULOUSE, France—Last July, French drug maker Sanofi SA told research scientists here that their lab didn't have a future. The company said the facility in southwestern France was too expensive and wasn't making enough discoveries to remain part of its global research organization.

Employees staged weekly protests called "Thursdays of Anger" and challenged Sanofi's decision in court. They also found a strong ally: the...